Chapter 264: Picking Up The Bride

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Xiao Nanye didn’t say anything. Instead, he looked at the couplet in Jiang Songbai’s hand.

After a moment of silence, he picked up the brush he had prepared and wrote the second verse on another piece of paper.

“Is this considered as me passing your test?” he said, putting down the brush and looking at Jiang Songbai.

Looking down at the couplet on the white paper, Jiang Songbai showed a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He had always known that King Cheng was brave on the battlefield, but he had no idea that his literary talent was also so exceptional.

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Jiang Songbai bowed slightly and stepped aside, saying, “Please, Your Highness.”

A smile appeared in Xiao Nanye’s eyes. He slowly moved forward, but when he reached the second door, he heard Jiang Sijin’s voice, “Stop.”

Jiang Sijin stood at the entrance of the second door, holding a long whip, with Jiang Ruyun by her side.

Looking at Xiao Nanye approaching the door, Jiang Sijin spoke up, “Your Highness, if you wish to pass through this door, you must pass my challenge.” “And what would be considered as passing your challenge?”

“Simple.”

As she finished speaking, Jiang Sijin pointed to a tree behind her. On its branch was a red ribbon. “Do you see that red ribbon?”

“You send someone to shoot it with an arrow, and I will block it. If anyone can shoot down that ribbon, then you pass.”

“Bring the bow and arrow.”

Upon hearing Jiang Sijin’s words, Xiao Nanye immediately turned to someone by his side, but before he could finish speaking, Jiang Ruyun whispered, “Your Highness cannot do this yourself.”

Meeting Xiao Nanye’s puzzled look, Jiang Ruyun whispered, “The entire Qi Kingdom knows of King Cheng’s exceptional archery skills. If you compete against Jiang Sijin, wouldn’t that be an unfair match?”

“Therefore, I would like to ask Your Highness to choose one person from the people behind you.”

“Oh, and no soldiers.”

After thinking a bit, Jiang Ruyun added the last sentence.

Hearing this, Xiao Nanye frowned.

Though Jiang Sijin was young, she had practiced martial arts since childhood. The archery skills of an ordinary person were no match for hers.

At that moment, Prince An, Xiao Junmo, approached Xiao Nanye and whispered, “Imperial Uncle, let me do it.”

“Are you confident?”

“Don’t worry, uncle. 1 won’t let you down.”

Xiao Nanye didn’t say anything but looked at the people around him. Soon, a bow and arrow were handed to Prince An.

Xiao Junmo and Jiang Sijin were of similar age. They both stepped forward. As Xiao Junmo drew his arrow, Jiang Sijin did the same.

When Xiao Junmo released his arrow, Jiang Sijin’s arrow flew out almost simultaneously.

As the arrow was about to hit the red ribbon, it was shot down by an arrow from Jiang Sijin.

Seeing this, a hint of disappointment appeared in Prince An’s eyes.

Although Xiao Junmo was young, influenced by Xiao Nanye, he had loved horse archery since childhood. Now, even a young girl could easily shoot down his arrow, which made his expression turn grave.

“It’s down…”

On Xiao Junmo’s third attempt, Jiang Sijin’s arrow was a second slow, so the red ribbon on the tree branch was directly shot down.

As the red ribbon fell, Xiao Nanye quickly grabbed it.

Handing it to Jiang Sijin, Xiao Nanye smiled and said, “Now, can I pass through the second door?”

Looking at the red ribbon in Xiao Nanye’s hand, Jiang Sijin seemed a bit disappointed but still stepped aside as agreed.

Xiao Nanye, with a few princes, headed towards the Plum Garden.

When he reached the entrance of the Plum Garden, he saw Jiang Changbai standing there.

Seeing him, Xiao Nanye stopped, “Big brother, do you have any challenges for me?”

Though the two hadn’t had their wedding ceremony yet, Xiao Nanye had already changed his address for Jiang Changbai. Hearing his new address, a flicker passed through Jiang Changbai’s eyes.

Looking at the man before him and thinking that he would soon take his sister away, Jiang Changbai’s eyes were filled with mixed emotions.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Changbai said, “I only need you to answer one question.”

“Please speak, big brother.”

“Will you treat Huan Er well for the rest of your life?”

“I swear on my life that if I ever mistreat Huan Er, may I die with no place to be buried.”

Xiao Nanye’s voice was not loud, but his expression was firm. Hearing his words, Jiang Changbai’s eyes softened.

Stepping aside, Jiang Changbai whispered, “Go in. Huan Er is waiting for you.”

“Thank you, big brother.”

After bowing to Jiang Changbai, Xiao Nanye entered the Plum Garden.

Xiao Nanye had been to Jiang Peihuan’s room many times, but he had never been as excited as he was now.

Upon entering the room, he immediately saw the person sitting on the bed.

Jiang Peihuan’s head was covered with a red veil, and Xiao Nanye couldn’t see her face, but he could see her hands clasped on her knees.

Stepping forward, Xiao Nanye spoke softly, “Huan Er, I’m here to pick you up. Will you come with me?”

“Mmm.”

Under the veil, Jiang Peihuan didn’t speak, but she gave a soft affirmative response.

Hearing her voice, Xiao Nanye’s eyes were filled with smiles.

“Let me help.”

Yue Er wanted to come forward to assist Jiang Peihuan, but Xiao Nanye had already reached out his hand first.

When Jiang Peihuan held Xiao Nanye’s palm, she found that the man’s hand was somewhat sweaty. Before she could react, she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

“Huan Er, I’ll carry you out.”

There was an immediate outburst of cheers around them.

But all Jiang Peihuan heard was the man’s heartbeat.

Resting in Xiao Nanye’s arms, Jiang Peihuan could clearly hear his heart beating faster than usual.

Holding Jiang Peihuan, Xiao Nanye walked step by step, his pace very steady. Being held by him, Jiang Peihuan didn’t feel any jolting at all.

“Huan Er?”

After walking for a while, a familiar voice reached Jiang Peihuan’s ears. It was Xue Yan, along with the voices of Old Madam Jiang and Old Madam Xue.

Then, Jiang Peihuan felt Xiao Nanye come to a stop.

“Mother.”

It was Xiao Nanye’s voice.

Instead of addressing Xue Yan as ‘mother-in-law’, Xiao Nanye, like Jiang Peihuan, simply called her ‘mother’. Hearing Xiao Nanye’s title for her, Xue Yan’s eyes showed a hint of a smile, but that smile was mixed with unexplained tears.

The members of the Jiang family looked at Jiang Peihuan in Xiao Nanye’s arms, their eyes filled with reluctance. None knew what to say.

In the end, it was Jiang Hong who looked at Xiao Nanye and softly said, “Your Highness, please take good care of my daughter in the future.”

“Father, rest assured. Elders, please be assured as well. In this life, I will definitely cherish and take good care of Huan Er.”

“It’s getting late, let them go.”

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